Good morning everyone. It's good to be here in Adelaide with the Premier of South Australia and also with Amanda, our fantastic Member for Kingston and Minister for Employment. And I do want to thank the dedicated scientists who've shown us around this facility here today. It is important to be able to see firsthand. And this morning I've spent time in Kangaroo Island talking to, being shown around by Rob, one of the professional fishers there, and also talking to the community on KI about the impact that it's having of course there, but right throughout the South Australian coast. I've been talking with Premier Malinauskas on a regular basis, including talking about the planning for summer if this continues as well. Quite clearly, this is an event that has occurred because of the runoff, firstly, from the Murray, the flooding events that occurred in other parts of Australia flowing through, and the combination of the nutrients then flowing into water which is hotter than usual. That is why we take these immediate measures, including the funding that's been provided for this work to be conducted here jointly as part of our $28 million funding jointly from the South Australian government and the Commonwealth going forward. But also, that's one of the reasons why we are dealing with the challenge of climate change, it's presenting these challenges as we go forward as well. There are events as we speak at the moment as well at Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia and other events that are the product, can be identified as being part of the changing weather. I want to say to South Australians that the Federal Government stands side-by-side with you. We'll continue to work constructively, we'll continue to provide support as it's requested through. And today, we have some immediate measures as well. $4 million will be made available for direct funding to local government for grants to assist those local communities who are dealing with these challenges. In addition to that, we will invest $2.25 million in targeted scientific research support. $2 million to enhance the monitoring and data collection of marine heatwaves through the CSIRO's water quality system called AquaWatch, and $250,000 for algal bloom related research informed by the South Australian Algal Bloom Science Panel through the National Environmental Science Programme. This is important immediate support on top of the $28 million joint funding that we had previously announced. In addition to that, we need to look at the issue of a significant environmental event that we have. So, today, we're announcing as part of our Regional Investment Corporation funding - that is a multi-billion dollar fund that provides support to farmers to manage drought, it's something that we have provided support for - we're going to create a new stream, a significant ecological event programme in order to ensure that that longer-term support is put in place. It's very clear that slow-onset events like marine heat waves and algal blooms will continue to impact our natural environment communities and businesses. What we will do is work with the Minister for Agriculture, who's been working closely with relevant stakeholders to extend the operations of the RIC and improve those operations. So, as part of this work, the Government will add this new stream working through. It's a product of the discussions that I've had with our South Australian federal members such as Amanda and Mark Butler and others as well as this morning I had a chat to the member for Mayo as well, Rebekha Sharkie, who's raised issues across the board. But we'll continue to work as well. We are obviously very concerned about a work programme over summer. I know from speaking to the people on KI this morning that that is an ongoing concern, but it's important that we work hand-in-hand with the South Australian government. That's something that's defined my Government, is being able to work cooperatively through Commonwealth, state and also local government to deliver for local communities. And I do want to give a shout out to the scientific experts who are doing this rather extraordinary work in expedited time, it must be said, in order to be able to provide analysis which will lead to better outcomes and understanding of what is an extraordinary event. So, we'll hear from the Premier, and then Steve and Mike will make some comments and then we're happy to take questions.
PETER MALINAUSKAS, PREMIER OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA: Thanks so much. Well, thanks so much, Prime Minister, for being here in South Australia again. I think everyone in this room would be familiar with the fact that the Prime Minister is a frequent visitor to our state and we certainly welcome it, particularly at this important moment when we contemplate this new, unprecedented challenge in respect to the algal bloom. I want to thank Steve as well. Agilex is now embarking on a whole new capability that Australia does not have and it's doing it in incredible speed and pace as a result of the $28 million funding package put together between the state and Federal Governments. To explain quickly, currently, when we are testing within our shellfish, particularly oysters, for the brevetoxin - which is a product of at least some form of the algae - that testing has to take place in New Zealand. That costs time and of course time is money in any industry, and aquaculture is no different. Through this funding that the Prime Minister has made available, we are now standing up an Australian-first - a brevetoxin testing regime right here in Adelaide, which means speedy results, which is good for industry as well as consumers. And Steve is team literally working at warp speed to bring this together. This is the sort of programme that normally would take well in excess of 12 months, but we're four to six weeks away from initial testing beginning, which is a great testament to Agilex. Can't help it, I've got to say it, agile by name, but also by nature. But we thank you, Steve, for that effort. Can I also thank Mike. SARDI is working collaboratively with everybody in the private sector but also within government to make sure that we're doing everything we can. And there is not a lever available to either state or Federal Government that we're not willing to pull at the moment, and we're able to do that because of the partnership with the Federal Government, for which we are very appreciative indeed. Only last night, we were at another community forum in Hallett Cove. Tonight, we've got another one again in Henley. We're moving across the state to make sure that we're communicating as accurately and as effectively as possible with the South Australian people both in metropolitan Adelaide, but in regional South Australia about the challenge we have here. It's unprecedented. We have never seen anything like this before in the nation's history. But we have to have the wherewithal and capability to respond and respond quickly, and the announcement from the Prime Minister today will only enable that effort even more than what is already the case. The Prime Minister and I have spoken about this frequently. In fact, I'm very grateful that the Prime Minister has called me about the algal bloom I think four times in a week. We've been actively discussing also the state government's preparation for the summer plan, which hopefully we don't have to utilise, but if we do, I know that the Federal Government is all too willing to hear from us and understand the challenges that we confront. So, I want to thank you, Prime Minister, for what you've announced today, particularly the new resource around the significant ecological funding. I think that's important for the country as we start to see these challenges emerge and very grateful, all the support that's helped facilitate the testing that we've got here today.
STEVE MCINTYRE, CEO, AGILEX BIOLABS: Thank you. Welcome, Prime Minister, Premier, Minister and Mike from SARDI and everyone here, to Agilex. Agilex is Australia's premier bioanalytical site for phase one in-human testing. What that means is that globally, in the drug development industry, phase one is the critical phase and bioanalytics works out how to test the effect of drugs on the body and the outcomes in the body, and that data is critical to the development of drugs and therapies around the world. Thanks to the Federal Government R&D tax incentives, Australia has a strategic advantage and we are the third biggest country in the world for phase one clinical trials, in-human clinical trials. We had an employee here four weeks ago come to work after a weekend talking to a pipi farmer, talking about how catastrophic the bloom has been for their business. And we were talking amongst ourselves saying, well, with our global capability and what we do, we could do those tests here and we could put that together quickly and that would help the state out. Not thinking that perhaps we'd be standing here like this, we contacted the Premier's office and made the offer. Four weeks later, here we are and we're already working on it. Algal bloom is a complex multifactorial problem, which makes it hard to deal with because everyone wants an easy answer. The effort and the focus that the Premier and his department and Primary Industry are putting on this has just blown us away. And it's incredibly reassuring that they're so focused on it. It's a difficult problem. There are no easy answers, but all you can ask is that they're really focused on doing it. And from everything I've seen it's just so impressive, and now the Federal Government are chipping in as well. I think that's fantastic for the state, so thanks, welcome to Agilex.
MIKE STEER, SARDI: Thank you, Steve. This is incredible news for us here in South Australia, because the pace that we need to operate to maintain market access for some of our key fishing and aquaculture industries is really important. And we understand that the algal bloom is dynamic and there is a fair bit of science and research and development needs to support it. The fact now that we've got a laboratory on our doorstep to rapidly undertake analysis of the brevetoxins that are accumulating in our oysters, our cockles and our mussel aquaculture ventures is fantastic because it's going to absolutely streamline our delivery on a weekly basis. It's also going to give us greater scope to undertake more R&D, particularly around the sources of brevetoxin in association with the algae that are in our harmful algal bloom at the moment. So, we're working at pace. This, as we've seen through the various weeks and months, this algal bloom is pulsating and changing almost on a day-to-day basis. So, for us to now have something in our back pocket, with a really strong relationship with Agilex, it'll give us a, wait for it, greater agility in undertaking that R&D, so thank you.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, will you acknowledge the algal bloom as a natural disaster?
PRIME MINISTER: What we've done is acknowledged it as a significant ecological event. This is something - there's a specific programme that's for floods and for bushfires that impacts on people. This is something that is a different form of environmental event that is having a significant impact and my Government will provide support. We already have, and we'll continue to do so, and we'll work with the state government on their summer plan as well.
JOURNALIST: Will it activate the same level of funding from the feds, this ecological disaster?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, what we'll do is we'll work through funding being made available. It's a different form of event. This is not a bushfire or a flood. There's very specific decisions made by NEMA to recommend to Government. That's why it's not a political decision. It's a decision based upon the programme that's there and the guidelines that are there.
JOURNALIST: Do those guidelines maybe need to change, considering the world needs to adapt to be able to handle climate change in the future?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, what we need is programmes that look at the climate is changing. And things that aren't an event like the bushfire event that I've been to, here in South Australia as I have in other events as well. Going back, I remember, with the Premier, the tragedy that we've seen here. All of the flooding events, most recently in the Mid North Coast of New South Wales. Here, there are different forms of events. So, for example, the drought was one of the last times that I was here, I was on a farm north of here talking to farmers who are impacted as well by the climate. But the funding for drought programmes is separate as well from the NEMA-based funding that is available.
JOURNALIST: The Premier has said that this is a natural disaster and should be acknowledged as such. Is he wrong?
PRIME MINISTER: The Premier's never wrong on anything, least of all when he's in South Australia and when I'm in South Australia with him. Let's not get into semantics here. This is a significant event. This is a very significant event and it's something that requires a response. Just like droughts require a response, bushfires require a response. We live in a country that has always had natural disasters. What we are seeing is events that are changing increasingly. Increasingly, governments having to respond to that. We're responding to this event with the creation of a very specific programme going forward.
JOURNALIST: Do you admit that your Government would've acted sooner if this algal bloom had happened on the East Coast?
PRIME MINISTER: No. Absolute nonsense, absolute nonsense. I have been to South Australia six times this year. I reckon I've been to -
JOURNALIST: On the algal bloom?
PRIME MINISTER: I reckon I have been - I was here for the drought just a little while ago. I have been to South Australia, I reckon, more than any Prime Minister over the period of just over - less than three and a half years. I compare that with any Prime Minister since Federation probably, but certainly in the last 30 years, that is the case. I stand up for South Australia. We have had a range of programmes here, whether it be infrastructure programmes, housing programmes, environmental programmes, support for South Australians here. And I represent the whole country. The whole country, not just Canberra,
JOURNALIST: But why haven't you visited to see the algal bloom amongst that time? It's been going on for six months now.
PRIME MINISTER: I'm here. I've been here six times, six times this year. And I've been to South Australia now almost 30 times in three and a bit years. I don't think it can be said that I'm not a regular visitor here in South Australia.
JOURNALIST: Murray Watt offered an apology of sorts for inaction over the algal bloom crisis. Do you endorse that and repeat that apology to the South Australian people?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, this isn't an event that Murray Watt has created or that any individual has created. This is an event as a result of a confluence of events combining to create this impact. What we're doing is responding. That's why we're here.
JOURNALIST: Do you admit that your government acted too slowly to this?
PRIME MINISTER: We are dealing with it. Both immediate concerns - we're here, we've made immediate announcements, we've provided, everything we've been asked to provide, has been done. And we're also looking at longer-term issues. Climate change is real. There is a real impact. There is nothing that has been suggested to us by any of the scientific community saying, if government had done this, this algal bloom would not have occurred. If there is something, please let me know what it is and ask the question and then I'll respond. But there has not been a single suggestion that has said that that is the case.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister. Here ten weeks ago, the Federal Government announced roughly $2.8 million in financial counselling. Do you think South Australia should be satisfied with that as the federal contribution to what's been sort of a once in a lifetime drought here?
PRIME MINISTER: No, look, we have ongoing support as well. We don't say, make an announcement and then disappear. We're here regularly and we're regularly providing support on behalf of the Commonwealth. The drought, of course, has impacted not just here in South Australia, but right across the southern states. It's one of the things we're dealing with. At the same time, in the same week I was here in South Australia - the same period, it might've been one week after another - there were floods in one part of the country and droughts in another. That is something that we have to deal with. We have to have that discussion. It's one of the reasons why I'm very proud of the fact that South Australia is leading the nation when it comes to renewables and the rollout. And I can report that one of the programmes that we've got that kicked in on 1 July, the programme for batteries - South Australia has the largest per capita number, of course, of solar panels on the roof in Australia. South Australian electorates are running gold, silver, and bronze - first, second, and third electorates in the country, with Mayo being first, Sturt being second - for the rollout of batteries subsidised by the Commonwealth. All part of what we're doing to lower bills for people, but importantly as well a part of that lowering of emissions, a part of the net transition which is being provided.
JOURNALIST: Just your trip to Kangaroo Island this morning, was there a reason you didn't meet with the Mayor?
PRIME MINISTER: I don't know who the Mayor is, sorry. But I was with the state member, Leon Bignell, and I was with other people there as well in industry, and we went to a local coffee shop and met with locals.
JOURNALIST: Just one more on algae before we get to Netanyahu. You mentioned that you and the Premier have been talking about a summer plan. What is that plan, if and when algal bloom continues through that period?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, we of course, are hoping that we don't have to deal with, but one of the things we're talking about is contingencies. How we deal with that. I don't know if you want to add in?
PREMIER MALINAUSKAS: As we've made clear, the summer plan is a pretty complex exercise because we're trying to forecast what the algal bloom might look like in summer. And of course, that's proven to be an exceptionally difficult task up to this point. In fact, most of the scientific predictions haven't ended up eventuating. So, what we have to do is account for all possibilities. That makes the work quite complex. And it has a number of areas - it has environmental restoration recovery considerations, It has coastal economy and economic considerations, but also the issue associated with people's mental health that we have to contemplate because people go to the beach for a sense of relief in every respect. So there are a few different facets to the plan, public health as well, that we are actively working on. We won't be announcing the summer plan until such a point that it's completed and necessary. And you know, that's some time away yet - we're still in winter. We remain hopeful that the algal bloom dissipates, but we're not naive to the fact that that may indeed not happen. In fact, I'm of the view that it's becoming increasingly likely that the bloom will be here in some form, at least during spring and potentially summer. So we continue to work on that. When those plans are complete, obviously we engage with the Federal Government appropriately. And in the event we enact the summer plan, I look forward to being able to speak the Federal Government about it.
JOURNALIST: Have you talked about closing beaches during that time?
PREMIER MALINAUSKAS: Well I've made, I've addressed this question on a number of occasions. I'm happy to keep doing that. All of the advice that we have up to this point, all the public health advice, all of the scientific advice says that that won't be necessary because even when the algal bloom is at its worst, any impact it has on humans is tempered by nature and not lasting. There is not a public health risk to the best of our knowledge regarding the algal bloom as it stands today. And it's very different to the algal bloom we see in Florida where we see the presence of Karenia brevis, which is very different to the mikimotoi version that we have here at the moment. So, on all things being equal, as it stands today, there's no reason to expect that would occur.
JOURNALIST: The Prime Minister said that you were always right. Were you right in calling this a natural disaster?
PREMIER MALINAUSKAS: I've made my remarks pretty clear about this and I'm happy to repeat them. Here's what I know that matters though, right? What matters is that when we confront this unprecedented challenge, that we're able to invest the resources where it's going to make a difference. In research, in recovery, in supporting the economy that is affected by it. And every request that I've made of the Prime Minister, he's come through on and that's not just true for this, it's true for a range of other things. When we have had challenges that need to be confronted I've been able to call the Prime Minister of our country with confidence that he's going to care about it and respond accordingly. Whyalla is another example. Port Pirie is another example. But here's the thing that's even more important than that. The Prime Minister isn't just here for South Australia when there's a complexity or a challenge, but is also here when we're looking at the big picture opportunities for our state into the future. Thinking about what we're doing with AUKUS, thinking about what we're doing with our universities, thinking what we're doing about big investments in infrastructure to set our economy up for long term prosperity. So, this is a Federal Government that doesn't partner with us just when there is challenges, but what I care about most, is the big long term opportunities.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, can I just ask you about Benjamin Netanyahu. He called you a weak leader. He said that you've abandoned the Australian Jewish Community. How do you respond to that?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, I treat leaders of other countries with respect. I engage with them in a diplomatic way. I contacted Prime Minister Netanyahu and met with him over the phone. We had a long discussion prior to the Cabinet meeting which was held last Monday morning. At that time, I gave Prime Minister Netanyahu a clear indication of my view and Australia's view going forward, but also a clear indication of the direction in which we were headed. I gave him the opportunity to outline what political solution there was and gave him that opportunity. We, of course, in Australia, my job is to represent the Australian national interest. And I think that Australians very much want two things to happen. One, they want people to stop killing each other, whether it be Israelis or Palestinians. Second thing that they want is for conflict to not be brought here. That is the way that I engage. That's the way I engage with other leaders internationally as well. Including last night the discussion I had, participated in a Coalition of the Willing discussion with other democratic leaders convened by President Macron and Prime Minister Starmer. There were a range of leaders from Europe as well as Canada, Prime Minister Carney, Prime Minister Luxon from New Zealand, Prime Minister Ishiba from Japan and others talking about the meeting that was held with President Trump and President Zelenskyy and other leaders and looking towards peace. What we want to see is peace and an end to conflict, whether it be in Ukraine or whether it be in the Middle East. And there's been a long term bipartisan position for two states, a State of Israel, a State of Palestine, living side by side. That was the vision in 1947 when the decision was made for two states. A majority Jewish state of Israel and a Palestinian state living side by side with security. We welcome the discussions and the role that the United States has played in supporting a peaceful resolution there over the last twenty-four hours. The announcement there could be a breakthrough, the release of hostages, a ceasefire, is what I think Australians want to see.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, why do you think Netanyahu is targeting you publicly?
PRIME MINISTER: I don't take these things personally. You know, I engage with people. Diplomatically, he has had similar things to say about other leaders. What I say is that Israel, of course, increasingly there is global concern. And global concern because people want to see an end to the cycle of violence that we have seen for far too long. That is what Australians want to see as well.
JOURNALIST: In relation to Benjamin Netanyahu, Tony Burke said, 'strength is not measured by how many people you can blow up'. Do you think that Netanyahu is acting within international law by killing as many people as Tony Burke suggests.
PRIME MINISTER: I've stated my views. I want to see peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians, and too many innocent lives have been lost. If you go back to the resolution that was carried by the parliament after October 7, I think it stands the test of time.
JOURNALIST: So you're confident that he's acting within international law?
PRIME MINISTER: You asked a question, so I get to answer it. That's the way it works. So October 7, the parliament condemned unequivocally the actions of Hamas as a terrorist organisation. We then went on to say that Israel had a right to defend itself. How it defended itself mattered and it needed to do that within international law and that there needed to be respect for innocent lives. Do I think too many innocent lives have been lost? Yes, I do. What's important is that the international community thinks that as well, overwhelmingly. And also that is what Australians see. Australians look at their TV coverage in spite of the fact that there's limited media presence in Gaza. They look at what's happening there, they look at the increased settler violence in the West Bank, they look at the decision that Israel has made in March to restrict the access of aid, food and water that people in Gaza needed, and they look at that and they think that something needs to change. The cycle of violence needs to change. Australia is a part of a global community.
JOURNALIST: Circling back to those, the Investment Corporation, the new program you mentioned. How effective are those RIC loans when the current rate is frozen at 5.18 per cent and people can actually access better interest on their loans through commercial lenders?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, this will be a program that we'll work through, including talking with people directly impacted on it. It won't be exactly the same as the RIC, but it will be done through them. It's important because that's a pool of funding that is available and that is why we've done it through it. Because it looks at the longer term issues rather than a bushfire event, which is obviously immediate - people have lost their homes. The RIC, what it looks at is resilience as well, going forward.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, how do you get the relationship with Israel back on track from here?
PRIME MINISTER: We'll continue to put forward Australia's position. And, you know, Australians want those two things. They want the cycle of violence to stop and they don't want conflict brought here. And that is very clear, and that's been the response from leaders of the community who've contacted me, including today. Contacted me to say that they believe that the Government is acting responsibly. We're acting not alone either. I mean, this is something that is seeing global leaders, we know 147 countries recognise Palestine, overwhelming majority. Three quarters of the world's nations recognise Palestine now. What you have had is countries, including the United Kingdom, France, other countries as well, statements by Germany, Italy, other countries joining these statements. Canada, of course, have said as well they will recognise, through Prime Minister Carney. And to actually have a path forward for peace. That two states, side by side, no role for Hamas, people making that very clear as well. And you can't just say we'll just continue to do the same thing. The cycle of violence, we have said very clearly, as have other democratic Western nations, have said very clearly that the idea that you would just occupy Gaza City and continue to do more of the same in the same way, just as Prime Minister Netanyahu said more than a year ago when we had a discussion, it was very similar. You just can't keep doing the same thing. What we need to do is to break that cycle of violence.
JOURNALIST: On the Productivity Roundtable, is the government looking to further rein in the NDIS's annual 8 per cent growth rate? And what are you hoping will come out of NDIS discussions at the Roundtable?
PRIME MINISTER: Mark Butler will be speaking at the National Press Club today. Quite clearly the NDIS is a proud, not just Labor government creation, it's a proud Australian creation. It's something we as a nation should be proud of. It was, of course, envisaged that that would look after people and enable them to fully participate in society. That would help them, but it would also help society, including productivity - enabling people to participate in work. It was not envisaged that in some areas, you know, four out of every ten in a classroom would be on the NDIS. That was not envisaged that that would occur. Clearly there's a need for a discussion about that and how we deal with that. No doubt it will be raised today. But Mark Butler will give a significant speech, he might even be on his feet right now. So I'll refer you to his comments.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, the Premier has talked about the importance of AUKUS to this state and indeed the nation. You're yet to meet with Donald Trump. Are you running scared of a meeting with the US President?
PRIME MINISTER: I met with and hosted about eight Republican, Democrat, Congress people and Senators just last week at Kirribilli. I travelled to Sydney in order to host them and to engage with them. And what I saw there, just like the comments that they made here when they were in Adelaide seeing firsthand the work that was taking place, how important AUKUS is. I've met with, I was the first person, full stop, to meet with the incoming Speaker when he was appointed in the US Congress during my state visit. And I've met, at that time, with over 100 people - either Congress representatives or Senators. Overwhelmingly, they understand that AUKUS is an important project for all three countries. That is important for stability in our part of the world. And one of the things it will do here in South Australia, which will be front and centre, is lift up the skills and opportunity which is here. And I've met with the Premier here with the universities and TAFEs that are already undertaking the work. And I think it's an exciting time for South Australia because one of the things that the manufacturing of nuclear powered, conventionally armed submarines here in South Australia will do is lift up high value manufacturing here in South Australia. You have such a great tradition here, the former government told the car industry to bugger off, what we're doing is the opposite. We're bringing high value manufacturing back to this great state.
JOURNALIST: Just on Russia and Ukraine. How much do you trust Vladimir Putin in what he says about peace in Ukraine?
PRIME MINISTER: Vladimir Putin has shown himself to be not a trustworthy person. He's an authoritarian dictator who's engaged in an illegal invasion of Ukraine. This could all end on any day without having meetings, it could end by Russia actually obeying international law and withdrawing from their invasion on a sovereign nation in Ukraine. But that, because of President Putin's character and his imperialist designs on countries in the region, means that other nations, led by President Trump and other nations as well, including the European Union, we're having to work very hard to secure that peace and security that is so important for the people of Ukraine. We welcome the potential for a meeting, one on one, between Russia and Ukraine. Ukraine has to be at the table when these decisions are made. And then a tripartite meeting would be a positive way forward. But yesterday's meeting, the briefing I had last night, was positive from those people who were there. And I thank people such as Chancellor Merz and others, including President Macron and Prime Minister Starmer, for the work that they're undertaking. It is relevant to Australia in our own region. If a big, powerful country can impose its will through military might on a smaller country that has implications for the world. What we need is for international norms to be respected. And on that note, I thank you very much.
